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Blind students can take exams without scribes once they learn SwaLekhan app

Mon, 07/08/2024 - 11:59 -- geeta.nair

Pune: All blind students may soon be able to  complete exams without scribes

who have traditionally been their voices for critical assessments.

Pune-based Niwant Andh Mukta Vikasalay and  National Association for the Blind (NAB) have embarked on a   transformative initiative that trains them in the use of a  self-writing app, called SwaLekhan, a game-changer for 50  students in the state so far.

Niwant Andh Mukta Vikasalay’s head Uma Badve said,  The challenges blind students face during exams are many.  Their reliance on scribes is fraught with issues, including  the difficulty in finding willing and able individuals, inaccuracies in transcription, and the added pressure of  having to rely on another's understanding and speed.  This affects the students' performance and their confidence  and sense of independence.”
 

NAB president Rameshwar Kalantri said all students in the  NAB's four schools will receive training.
“There is a  push from govt to extend this training to blind students  from kindergarten through postgraduate levels. The education  board has already approved the use of computers in exams by  blind students,” he added.
 
Modern College, BMCC, SP College in Pune and the blind  school in Aurangabad have been part of this transformative  journey.
 
The training also includes teachers who can teach using the  SwaLekhan app, ensuring a sustainable model of  education and assessment for visually impaired students.
Badve said that plans were underway to make the app  compulsory in all blind schools across the state, with  state, with content in Hindi and Kannada in the future. It  will also be taken all over the country.
“We want to  teach English typing, with instructions in English,  broadening the app’s scope for students in linguistic  regions,” Badve added.
 

 

Category: 
Month of Issue: 
July
Year of Issue: 
2 024
Source: 
 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/blind-students-empowered-to-take-exams-independently-with-swalekhan-app/articleshow/111526576.cms  
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